Flat tax chatter: Just small talk or a deeper conversation? The Hill examines GOP presidential hopefuls Rand Paul and Ted Cruz and their ideas for an across-the-board tax rate. A flat tax will disproportionately benefit higher earners, and even some in the GOP say that makes it a non-starter. But

On the Hill: Taxpayer protection sought, tax reform input needed. The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing today on protecting taxpayers from scams during the current tax filing season. Yesterday, panel Chairman Orrin Hatch and Ranking Member Ron Wyden announced their effort to solicit ideas on

House Republicans would slash IRS funding. Their fiscal year 2015 financial services budget includes roughly $11 billion for the IRS. This would cut $341 million from the agency’s current budget, and is $1.5 billion less than the White House request. They are also outraged over lost IRS emails.